• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.525-531
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• 2014

In the present study, we investigated whether apigenin significantly affects tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin in airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with apigenin for 30 min and then stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Apigenin significantly inhibited MUC5AC mucin production and down-regulated MUC5AC gene expression induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ in NCI-H292 cells. To elucidate the action mechanism of apigenin, effect of apigenin on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling pathway was also investigated by western blot analysis. Apigenin inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by TNF-${\alpha}$. Inhibition of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK) by apigenin led to the suppression of inhibitory kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) phosphorylation and degradation, p65 nuclear translocation. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of MUC5AC protein production in NCI-H292 cells. Apigenin also has an influence on upstream signaling of IKK because it inhibited the expression of adaptor protein, receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1). These results suggest that apigenin can regulate the production and gene expression of mucin through regulating NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in airway epithelial cells.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.14.1-14.8
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the pepsinolytic hydrolysate from the fish frame, Johnius belengerii, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The J. belengerii frame hydrolysate (JFH) significantly suppressed nitric oxide (NO) secretion on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, the JFH markedly inhibited the levels of protein and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, the LPS-stimulated mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 was downregulated when cells were cultured with the JFH. The JFH significantly reduced the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in macrophages. As the result, the JFH has the potential anti-inflammatory activity via blocking the JNK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signal pathways.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.95-103
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• 2008

Mushrooms are regarded as one of the well-known foods and biopharmaceutical materials with a great deal of interest. Polysaccharide ${\beta}$-glucan is the major component of mushrooms that displays various biological activities such as antidiabetic, anticancer, and antihyperlipidemic effects. In this study, we compared the immunostimulatory potency of polysaccharide fractions, prepared from liquid culture of pine-mushroom Tricholoma matsutake, with a potent immunogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and their molecular mechanisms on the functional activation of macrophages. We found that fraction II (TMF-II) was able to comparably upregulate or highly enhance the phenotypic functions of macrophages such NO production and cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-${\alpha}$) expression, to LPS. TMF-II triggered the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, a critical step for NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and translocation. Of the upstream signaling enzymes tested, Src and Akt were thought to be the responsible upstream signaling components in induction of NO production, although TMF-II strongly upregulated the phosphorylation of all MAPK pathways. Therefore, our data suggest that T. matsutake-derived ${\beta}$-glucan may exert its immunostimulating activities with similar potency to LPS via activation of multiple signaling pathways linked to NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.347-355
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• 2016

Cryptotanshinone (CPT) is a natural compound isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In the present study, the regulatory effect and potential mechanisms of CPT on tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) induced lectin-like receptor for oxidized low density lipoprotein (LOX-1) were investigated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and the effect of $TNF-{\alpha}$ on LOX-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting respectively. The formation of intracellular ROS was determined with fluorescence probe $CM-DCFH_2-DA$. The endothelial ox-LDL uptake was evaluated with DiI-ox-LDL. The effect of CPT on LOX-1 expression was also evaluated with SD rats. $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced LOX-1 expression in a dose- and time- dependent manner in endothelial cells. $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced ROS formation, phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and ERK, and LOX-1 expression, which were suppressed by rotenone, DPI, NAC, and CPT. $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor BAY11-7082 and ERK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ LOX-1 expression. CPT and NAC suppressed $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ LOX-1 expression and phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and ERK in rat aorta. These data suggested that $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced LOX-1 expression via ROS activated $NF-{\kappa}B/ERK$ pathway, which could be inhibited by CPT. This study provides new insights for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of CPT.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.90-97
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• 2009

Background: CD147, as a cellular receptor for cyclophilin A (CypA), is a multifunctional protein involved in tumor invasion, inflammation, tissue remodeling, neural function, and reproduction. Recent observations showing the expression of CD147 in leukocytes indicate that this molecule may have roles in inflammation. Methods: In order to investigate the role of CD147 and its ligand in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, human atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed for the expression pattern of CD147 and CypA. The cellular responses and signaling molecules activated by the stimulation of CD147 were then investigated in the human macrophage cell line, THP-1, which expresses high basal level of CD147 on the cell surface. Results: Staining of both CD147 and CypA was detected in endothelial cell layers facing the lumen and macrophage-rich areas. Stimulation of CD147 with its specific monoclonal antibody induced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in THP-1 cells and it was suppressed by inhibitors of both ERK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Accordingly, the stimulation of CD147 was observed to induce phosphorylation of ERK, phosphorylation-associated degradation of $I{\kappa}B$, and nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 and p50 subunits. Conclusion: These results suggest that CD147 mediates the inflammatory activation of macrophages that leads to the induction of MMP-9 expression, which could play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제42권9호
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• pp.1513-1517
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• 2013

본 연구는 사과씨로부터 추출한 사과씨 에탄올 추출물이 1차 면역세포인 대식세포의 면역기능에 관하여 면역기능을 증가시켜 줄 수 있는 지에 관한 여부를 알아보기 위하여 수행되었다. 사과씨 추출물을 마우스 유래의 대식세포인 RAW 264.7 세포에 처리하였을 때, 대식세포의 활성화 관련 지표인 nitric oxide와 cytokine(IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$)의 생성이 증가되었다. 이러한 결과는 사과씨 추출물이 대식세포의 활성에 크게 영향을 줄 수 있다는 가능성을 제시하고, 이러한 사과씨 추출물이 대식세포의 면역 활성을 유도하는 신호전달 과정에 관하여 연구해 본 결과, 사과씨 추출물의 처리는 대식세포 내 MAPKs(ERK, p38) 및 $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$의 인산화를 증가시키는 신호전달 과정을 경유하는 것으로 관찰되었다.

• 사상체질의학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.139-149
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• 2009

1. Objectives The roots of Sophora flavescens Aiton (SFA) are widely used as a herbal remedy for allergic inflammation. In this study, we invested the effect of SFA on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and histamin releas and we demonstrated that SFA suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), and interleukin -8 (IL-8), through inhibition of the $NF{\kappa}B$, JNK and p38 pathway in the human mast cell line, HMC-1. 2. Methods To accomplish this, we invested passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and histamin release at an animal experiment. In addition, we investigated the effect of SFA on the production of inflammation-related cytokines in HMC-1 cells that were co-treated with PMA and A23187, which can induce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. 3. Results and Conclusions SFA induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and histamin releas and supressed the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-8. In addition, the protein levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ were also decreased by SFA treatment. Furthermore, SFA inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor $NF{\kappa}B$ through inhibition of the phosphorylation and degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, which is an inhibitor of $NF{\kappa}B$. Moreover, SFA also inhibited induction of MAPKs (JNK, p38) and $NF{\kappa}B$ promoter-mediated luciferase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that SFA could be used as a treatment for mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2014

Hydroxycinnamic acids have been reported to possess numerous pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. However, the biological activity of 1-p-coumaroyl ${\beta}$-D-glucoside (CG), a glucose ester derivative of p-coumaric acid, has not been clearly examined. The objective of this study is to elucidate the anti-inflammatory action of CG in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In the present study, CG significantly suppressed LPS-induced excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and $PGE_2$ and the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2. CG also inhibited LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$. In addition, CG significantly suppressed LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B$. To elucidate the underlying mechanism by which CG exerts its anti-inflammatory action, involvement of various signaling pathways were examined. CG exhibited significantly increased Akt phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner, although MAPKs such as Erk, JNK, and p38 appeared not to be involved. Furthermore, inhibition of Akt/PI3K signaling pathway with wortmannin significantly, albeit not completely, abolished CG-induced Akt phosphorylation and anti-inflammatory actions. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that Akt signaling pathway might play a major role in CG-mediated anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.73-83
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• 2008

Objectives : The root of Zingiber officinale ROSC. (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens; Ginger) has been widely used as one of folk remedies and food materials in many traditional preparations. Ginger is known as an effective appetite enhancer and anti-inflammatory agent. This study was performed to investigate the effect of ginger chloroform fraction (GCF) in microglia which play a central role on brain inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. Methods : Dried ginger was extracted with 80% methanol, and then fractionated with chloroform. BV2 mouse microglial cells were cultured with different concentrations of GCF and then stimulated with LPS (1 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$) at indicated times. The cell toxicity of GCF was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations of NO, PGE2 and cytokines were measured by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. The mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS, COX-2 and cytokines were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The phosphorylation of three MAPKs (p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and JNK) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation were determined by Western blotting. Results : GCF significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators, NO, $PGE_2$ and proinflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$) in a dose-dependent manner. GCF attenuated LPS-induced expression of mRNA and protein of inflammatory enzymes, iNOS, COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines through suppressing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK and the activation of p65 $NF-{\kappa}B$ in BV2 cells. Conclusions : This study suggests that GCF may have an anti-inflammatory property through suppressing the inflammatory mediator production released by activated microglia after the brain injury.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.399-404
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• 2011

In this study, powder of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (O. japonicus) was extracted with 95% ethyl alcohol and fractionated using a series of organic solvents, including n-hexane (hexane), dichloromethane (DCM), ethylacetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (BuOH), and water ($H_2O$). We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of these O. japonicus extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Their effects on the expression of inflammatory mediators and transcription factors were analyzed by Western blotting. DCM fraction significantly inhibited formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Phosphorylation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor complex nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}$B) p65 and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), one of its downstream proteins, were also suppressed by DCM fraction. These effects were regulated by upsteam proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. Taken together, our data suggest that O. japonicus could be used as a potential source for anti-inflammatory agents.